CARY, North Carolina, May 16 (Reuters) - The United States were one of the success stories of the 2002 World Cup finals, but Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan feels no pressure to live up to that quarter-final showing this time round.

"I have a much better perspective now," Donovan said on
Tuesday following a U.S. training session as the squad prepares
for its Group E campaign against the Czech Republic, Italy and
Ghana.

"I'm more excited just to take advantage of the whole World
Cup," he said. "I just don't think about any pressure, this is
fun.

"We're playing in the World Cup. Just think how many people
never get to enjoy it. You don't want to get done and say 'that
wasn't any fun'."

Donovan drew praise as one of the top young players at the
2002 finals where he scored twice. Heading into his second
World Cup, he appreciates the measured approach his coach Bruce
Arena has adopted.

"Bruce has a real understanding of getting us prepared,"
said Donovan. "We have stages that we're going through. First,
we had to get here (to camp), we're getting fitness now --
then, he can worry about figuring the first 11."

The Americans' opening match on June 12 against the Czech
Republic is just weeks away, but Donovan remains relaxed.

"We're just building the team circle, getting on the same
page," he said. "It was all new for us the last time and new
for him (Arena), so it was trial by error, but now he knows
where we're going and what we're doing, he understands that
very well."

The squad are a week into training camp and only Leeds
United midfielder Eddie Lewis is absent having returned to
England to prepare for his club side's match against Watford on
Sunday in Cardiff with promotion to the Premier League on the
line.

Manchester City midfielder Claudio Reyna thinks the team is
fitter than it was in the run-up to the 2002 finals.

"The guys are at a good level now," the U.S. captain said.
"We're probably a step ahead of where we were in 2002.
Everybody looks sharp. As far as the team goes...everyone has
started really working together."

Arena is convinced he has a better squad than that which
took eventual runners-up Germany to the brink in the
quarter-finals four years ago.

"We're a more experienced team and we have better players,"
said Arena, happily admitting he too felt no pressure heading
into the finals.

"The guys with all the pressure are (Czech coach Karel)
Bruckner and (Italy coach Marcello) Lippi," he quipped.
"There's no pressure on Mr. Arena."

The team will be in camp until Sunday before heading for
Nashville, Tennessee, where they face Morocco in a friendly on
May 23. The squad will play warm-up matches against Venezuela
on May 26 in Cleveland, Ohio, and Latvia on May 28 in East
Hartford, Connecticut, before departing for Germany on June 1.